Indian Sports Highlights, December 22: East Bengal plays out a goalless draw with Odisha FC

East Bengal played out a nil-nil draw with higher ranked Odisha FC in a home match at the Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata.

Star shuttler PV Sindhu has made it to the Forbes list of World's highest-paid female athletes in 2023. Sindhu was ranked in joint 16th position along with superstar gymnast Simone Biles of the USA in the elite list.

Despite having a below-par season in the International circuit and suffering multiple injuries, the world number eleven PV Sindhu has managed to remain in the top 20 with overall earnings of 7.1 million USD

Sindhu has been a regular part of this list over the years and also had a top ten rank in the year 2018 with 8.5 million US dollars, which saw her in seventh place. In 2022, she had a similar amount of earnings but at that time she was placed 12th ranked among the athletes.

REPORT

An outstanding final session for indian women's team as they scored 100 runs in the session without losing any wicket.

India extended the lead by 157 runs after an amazing 102 runs partnership between Deepti Sharma and Pooja Vastrakar.

Deepti scored an half century and ends the day on 70 not out alongside Pooja who is looking solid too with 33 runs at the stumps.

Score:- India 376 for 7 in 119 overs - Deepti (70/147 not out), Pooja (33/115 not out).

Key players of the day (Smriti Mandhana 74(106), Jemimah Rodrigues 73(121), Ashleigh Gardner (4 wickets for 69 runs)).

Indian women's team has taken an slender first innings lead over Australia in the one-off test match at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai.

India started the day with a very positive note with vice-captain Smriti Mandhana completed her half-century before getting out on a run-out call at the score of 147-3. Then, Jemimah Rodrigues and debutant Richa Ghosh consolidated the position and put up a partnership of 113 runs.

Australia made a comeback in the second session of the day and departed both set batsmen after completing their fifties and won the session with 83 runs for 4 wickets.

The All-rounders pair of Deepti Sharma and Pooja Vastrakar are on crease with the aim to extend this lead past 100 runs before the bowlers come for batting.

Score:- India 276 for 7 in 81 overs

Key players (Smriti Mandhana 74(106), Jemimah Rodrigues 73(121), Ashleigh Gardner (4 wickets for 69 runs)).

Hockey India President and former Indian Captain, Padma Shri Dr. Dilip Tirkey, received an honorary Ph.D. in Sports Science from Sri Sri University on Thursday. This distinguished accolade acknowledges Tirkey's notable contributions to the field of sports, underscoring his substantial influence on Indian hockey and steadfast dedication to its progress.

Tirkey's remarkable career, marked by numerous participations in multiple Olympics and World Cups, along with his outstanding leadership both on and off the field, reflects his commitment to promoting excellence in sports. Remarkably, he holds the record for the highest number of international appearances in Indian hockey, with an impressive total of 412 caps.

REPORT

With only three weeks until the FIH Olympics Qualifiers 2024, the Indian Women's Hockey Team is preparing to compete in Ranchi, aiming to secure a spot in the Paris 2024 Olympics. Ahead of the qualifiers, coach Janneke Schopman said, "We are certain that we can finish on the podium and qualify for the Olympics."

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East Bengal plays Odisha FC in an ISL match at home. 

In PKL, Tamil Thalaivas take on Patna Pirates and Haryana Steelers face Telugu Titans as the Chennai leg of the league starts. 

Full highlights

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